Swinging exercising device

ABSTRACT

A versatile exercising device having a base and swinging body supporting member attached to the base is provided in practice of this invention. In one embodiment the base is in the form of a tubular frame having similar rectangular frame members pivotally interconnected along one edge so as to pivot between a closed position with the frame members parallel to each other, and an erected position wherein the frame members are spread to form a triangular base and an apex at the pivotally interconnected edges. Thus, a transverse bar extends across the base at the apex. An elongated body supporting member is connected adjacent the apex by links so as to hang with its mid-point approximately below the apex. Four links from approximately the apex to respective points on each side and remote from the middle of the body supporting member permit it to be swung in the direction of its length, transverse to the bar at the apex. The links are of a sufficient length that an occupant on the body supporting member can reach the apex bar or side edges of the frame members with a hand or a foot for propelling the body supporting member in a swinging manner. A horizontal bar transverse to the direction of swinging is connected to one of the frame members so as to be above and adjacent one end of the body supporting member so that an occupant can reach it with a hand or foot for exerting propulsive force. In one embodiment the body supporting member is rigid. In another embodiment the body supporting member is rigid transverse to its length and elastically flexible along its length for flexing the body of an occupant. In another embodiment a triangular base folds for storage around pivots interconnecting frame members at the lower end.

ilnited States Patent 91 V 11 Sellner 541 SWINGING EXERCISING DEVICE [57] ABSTRACT [76] Inventor; John n H150 Tujunga versatile exercising device having a base and swingcanyon Boulevard, Tujunga Calif, ing body supporting member attached to the base is 91042 provided in practice of this invention. In one embodiment the base is in the form of a tubular frame having simriar rectangular frame members pivotally interconnected along one edge so as to pivot between a closed position with the frame members parallel to each other, and an erected position wherein the frame 22 Filed: Nov. 25,1970

21 Appl.No.: 92,612

[52] U.S. Cl. ..272/58, 272/62, 272/79 R, members are spread to form a triangular base and an 272/85 apex at the pivotally interconnected edges. Thus, a [51] Int. Cl. ..A63b 21/00 transverse bar extends across the base at the apex. An [58] Field of Search ..272/79 R, 79 A, 79 B, elongated body supporting member is connected ad- 272/79 C, 79 D, 88, 85, 86, 87, 89, 90, 91, 92, 80, 81, 82,,DIG. 2, 58, 57 R, 61, 62, 63; 297/273, 276, 277; 5/120, 98 R jacent the apex by links so as to hang with its midpoint approximately below the apex. Four links from approximately the apex to respective points on each side and remote from the middle of the body supporting member permit it to be swung in the direction of its length, transverse to the bar at the apex. The links are of a sufficient length that an occupant on the body supporting member can reach the apex bar or side edges of the frame members with a hand or a foot for propelling the body supporting member in a swinging manner. A horizontal bar transverse to the direction of swinging is connected to one of the frame members [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS umerates* FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS so as to be above and adjacent one end of the body 1 l 480 0/1904 G tB 72/92 supporting member so that an occupant can reach it rea n 1n i f elm 499,812 2/1954 Canada ..272/86 a hand or foot for exemng prop zone embodiment the body supporting member is rigid.

227884 4/1960 Austmha" In another embodiment the body supporting member 1,125,606 3/1962 Germany 1 373 09 10/1964 France 272,85 is rigid transverse to its length and elastically flexible 93,008 12/1968 France ..272 79 R 11mg its length f flexlng e y Of an upant. In 465,469 12/1968 Switzerland ..272/85 amulet embodnnent a tnangnlar base folds for 1,290,314 3/1969 Germany ..272/85 Storage around Pivots interconnecting frame members at the lower end. m y E n r?AntenQQsslnl Assistant Examiner- Arnold W. Kramer Attorney-Christie, Parker, & Hale 19 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATENTEUHAYZZISYS 734494 SHEET 1 [IF 4 INVENT OR. (fay/v lMfdLA/EQ PATENTEUMYZZIW 3,734,494

SHEET 3 OF 4 lllillllllllllt'lj SWINGING EXERCISING DEVICE BACKGROUND This invention is disclosed in Disclosure Document No. 002466 filed July 6, 1970, with the U.S. Patent Office.

Mild exercise is desirable to enable one to stimulate the cardiovascular system without strong physical exertion or development of conspicuously enlarged muscles. Such mild exercise should be capable of many repetitions with a variety of muscles for best stimulation. Exercising with weights or swimming can effect suitable exercise; however, use of weights tends to develop muscle tissue, and swimming is not readily available at all locations and in all weather. It is, therefore, desirable to have an inexpensive apparatus for mild exercise that can be used in ones home or yard, or in a gymnasium or the like. It is desirable to have a foldable unit for storage while not in use, and one that permits the use of a broad variety of muscles with many repetitions without requiring great strength. Versatility for a large variety of exercises is of great importance so that one cam employ mild or vigorous exercise as may be desired on any of a broad variety of muscle combinations. In addition to mild exercise it is often desirable to have strenuous exercise and therefore apparatus for exercising is preferably sufficiently versatile that exercises requiring a moderate amount of strength may be performed on the same apparatus. It is also desirable, in order to effect exercise of selected muscles, to provide means for exerting against members at different angles and positions relative to the body, the greater the number of positions that can be accommodated in an apparatus the more muscles are effectively exercised. With more muscles exercised fewer types of apparatus are required and the investment in such apparatus is thereby minimized.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, there is provided in practice of this invention according to a presently preferred embodiment a versatile exercising apparatus comprising an elongated body supporting member suspended by four links for swinging motion in a direction along its length. Each of the links is supported at a point substantially above the middle of the body supporting member, and at its opposite end at a point on the body supporting member remote from the middle thereof. A horizontal bar is provided above the body supporting member, and sufficiently close thereto that an occupant on the body supporting member can reach the bar with either a hand or a foot for propelling the swinging body supporting member.

In particularly preferred embodiments, the horizontal bar is above the middle of the body supporting member, and a second horizontal bar is provided above the body supporting member and near an end thereof within reach of an occupants hand or foot for propulsion. The body supporting member may be rigid or may be rigid in a direction transverse to its length and elastically flexible in a direction along its length for body flexure. The point of connection of the links to the body supporting member may be selectively variable for affecting the swinging and bending characteristics of the body supporting member.

DRAWINGS These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description of a presently preferred embodiment when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates in perspective an exercising apparatus constructed according to principles of this invention;

FIG. 2 comprises a detail of a hinge at the apex of the base of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a portion of the top of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates the base of the apparatus of FIG. 1 folded for storage;

FIG. 5 illustrates in side elevation an alternative exercising apparatus;

FIG. 6 is an end view of the apparatus of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 illustrates in perspective the base of the apparatus of FIG. 5 in a folded position;

FIG. 8 is a top view of a body supporting member for the apparatus of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 9 shows the body supporting member in a flexed condition;

FIG. 10 is a detail of a connecting link for the member of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 illustrates in perspective another body supporting member; and

FIG. 12 illustrates still another body supporting member.

Throughout the drawings like numerals refer to like parts.

DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 illustrates in perspective a versatile exercising apparatus constructed according to principles of this invention. As illustrated in this embodiment the swinging exercise device comprises a substantially triangular base 11 from which a swinging body support member 12 is suspended. In this embodiment the body support member 12 is a rigid board having a length greater than about one half the height of a person who may use the apparatus so that it can be used in a lying or sitting position as may be desired. The body support member has sufficient padding to be comfortable.

The base 11 is formed of two substantially identical frame members 13 and 14 interconnected to form a substantially triangular base for the apparatus with the base of the triangle being at the bottom and the apex at the top. Each of the frame members 13 and 14 is preferably made from tubular material bent and welded as appropriate in the form of a generally rectangular frame. Thus, for example, each frame member has a transverse lower member 16 extending across the bottom. A pair of upwardly extending side members 17 are bent at from the lower member 16 and extend upwardly to the apex of the triangular base. At the apex of the triangle, each of the side members 17 is bent at an angle of from about 20 to 30 to provide a tip 18 extending several inches above the apex. Each frame member also has a transverse horizontal bar 19 welded to the respective side members 17 and extending across the top of the exercising device of the apex.

The two transverse top bars 19 are pivotally interconnected as illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 2. As illustrated therein a substantially U-shaped steel piece 21 is passed around one horizontal bar 19A and is connected nearer its open end to the other horizontal bar 1913 by a rivet 22 passing between the two sides of the U. The first horizontal bar 19A is free to pivot within the U- shaped piece 21 so that the two frame sections 13 and 14 can be pivoted relative to each other.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, two means are provided for preventing the legs or side members of the two frame sections 13 and 14 from spreading when the apparatus is in use. According to one of these a pair of boards 23 are provided beneath the frame sections. Four open U-shaped clips 24 are provided at the respective ends of the two boards 23 and receive the transverse lower member 16 so as to prevent the frame members from spreading at their lower ends due to the weight of an occupant in the apparatus. It is found that in many situations the other means for preventing spreading, as hereinafter described, is sufficient for structural purposes, however, the boards 23 are desirable to prevent walking of the apparatus during vigorous use on a smooth surface. The boards 23 also tend to distribute the weight of the apparatus and prevent marring of floors.

The tips 18 at the apex also provide a means for preventing spreading of the lower ends of the frame members 13 and 14. Such an arrangement is further illustrated in the exploded view of FIG. 3 wherein a pair of the tips 18 on one side of the base are adjacent each other and held in position by a bracket 26. The bracket 26 is formed of a short piece of angle steel 27 to which are welded a pair of short plugs 28 which may be either solid or pieces of pipe. The two plugs 28 are spaced apart a sufficient distance and have a diameter that permits them to be slidably fitted into the open ends of the tubular tips 18. These plugs 28 thereby prevent spreading of the tips 18, since the frame members 13 and 14 are pivotally interconnected below the tips 18 by the bars 19. Prevention of spreading of the tips keeps the lower ends of the frame members from spreading.

Also mounted on the bracket 26 are a pair of hooks 31 that are free to pivot on bushings (hidden in FIG. 3) around the shanks of bolts 32 through the angle 27. Referring again to FIG. 1 a chain 33 is connected to each of the hooks 31 by merely passing a link over the open end of the hook. The other end of each of the chains 33 is connected to a bracket or hook 34 on the body supporting member 12. The brackets or books 34 are connected at points well removed from the middle of the body supporting member so that the chains 33 are spaced apart at a substantial distance at the lower end. The hooks 31 are also spaced apart on the brackets 26 for somewhat minimizing the tilt of the body supporting member as it swings.

With the type of suspension provided by the chains 33 the body supporting member 12 is free to swing in a direction along its length and about a point defined by the intersection (imaginary) of the chains 33 above the bracket 26. By spacing the upper hooks 31 apart, the radius about which the body supporting member 12 swings is lengthened, thereby minimizing the tilt of the body supporting member as it swings from end to end.

Also, by spacing the hooks 31 apart, collision of the chains 33 with the transverse top horizontal bars 19 is minimized during normal swinging.

It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that other types of links than the chains 33 can be employed between the top of the apparatus and the body supporting member such as, for example, cables, or rigid links pivotally mounted at each end. Chains are, however, preferred for this application since the length of the chain between the hooks 31 and the body supporting member 12 can be readily adjusted by merely shifting from one link to another along the chain. This enables the person using the exercising device to have the body supporting member 12 relatively close to the ground for some types of exercises and relatively close to the top horizontal bars 19 for other exercises. It also permits him to have one end of the body supporting member substantially higher than the other end for exercises that may be done on a slant.

A typical exercise that can be done with the apparatus as illustrated and described to this point is, for example, one where the occupant seats himself on the body supporting member 12 with his legs stretched out in front of him on the board 12 and with the torso in a generally upright position. The horizontal bar 19 at the apex of the base is gripped by hand and by pushing back and forth by the body supporting board 12 can be made to swing in a direction along its length. This can be done gently or vigorously. Such an exercise can be used to flex the wrists and develop good muscle tone in the lower arms, upper arms and shoulders in particular.

In another exercise, the occupant lies on his back on the board 12 with his feet extending upwardly and with their soles pressed against the horizontal transverse bar 19. The feet can then be used to cause swinging of the body supporting member 12. By selecting the length of the chains 33, the degree of fiexure of the legs during such an exercise canbe varied for requiring different degrees of force and angles of application of the force on the leg muscles.

Another good exercise can be done with the occupant lying on the board 12 and propelling himself by contacting one of the side members 17 of the tubular frame with either a hand or foot to provide fore and aft swinging motion. The versatility of the apparatus can be seen from this one type of exercise which can be done with one hand, one foot, both. hands, both feet, or all four while lying on the stomach, on the back, on the right side or on the left side. In each of these positions, different sets of muscles are exercised, thereby improving the tone of all muscles without unduly exercising any individual muscles.

The versatility of the exercising apparatus is increased by providing a second horizontally extending bar 36 above the body supporting member 12 adjacent one end and transverse to its direction of swinging. This bar 36 is preferably formed as the bight of a U having legs 37 terminating in pivots 38. Each of the pivots 38 is connected to a bracket 39 welded on a leg 17 of the frame section 14. The pivots 38 thereby permit the bar 36 to be pivoted between a lowered position as illustrated in FIG. 1 or a raised position nearer the apex of the base. A pair of chains 41 each have one end connected to the legs 37 of the U and the other end connected to a hook 42 on the top bracket 26. Thus, the position of the bar 36 can be adjusted by varying the length of the chain 41 between the bar and the hooks.

The second horizontal bar above the body supporting member and adjacent one end thereof provides considerable versatility in the exercises that can be performed. Thus, for example, a person may lie on his back on the board 12 and, using his feet, press against the end bar 36 to propel himself in a swinging motion. This permits deep flexure of the legs. A person lying on his back on the board with his head at the end nearer the end bar may reach up and use his arms by gripping the end bar 36 to propel himself in a swinging motion. Such exercise is particularly advantageous with either a hand or a foot when the person is lying on one side on the board so that the muscles along one side of the body are exercised at a time.

In another exercise the person may sit on the end of the board 12 with his lower legs hanging down and facing the horizontal transverse bar 36 for propelling himself back and forth by extending his arms forwardly from his body. It is apparent that this exercises a different set of muscles from causing swinging motion while lying down on the board. This sitting exercise is somewhat akin to rowing a boat and exercises portions of the back as well as the arms.

Additional versatility is provided by releasing the chains 33 suspending the board 12 on one or both sides. This permits the board 12 to be laid to one side so that the frame is open and the horizontal bar 19 can be employed for chin-ups, hanging upside down, or the like. If desired fabric loops can be put on the horizontal bars 19 or 36 for gripping, wrapping around an ankle or the like. Elastic members may also be connected to the various portions of the apparatus for providing additional resistance as one exercises, otherwise the weight of the body and its inertia provide the forces against which one exerts in order to exercise.

The two horizontal bars 19 and 36 can also be used in combination for advantageous exercises such as, for example, lying on the back with one foot against the apex horizontal bar 19 and the other foot pumping in swinging motion against the lower horizontal bar 36. If one exercises in this manner with the back of an ankle against the top bar, the hamstrings are stretched. The two bars may be used in combination by hanging from the apex bar 19 at the hip joint, then bracing the toes against the lower bar 36 and raising the upper body until the entire back is arched upwardly. Such an exercise greatly strengthens the back muscles.

It is apparent that an exercising device as illustrated in FIG. 1 is relatively large and would be cumbersome to store in an erected position. Such an apparatus is typically 6 feet high, 3% ft. wide and 5 to 6 feet long in its erected position. Means are therefore provided for folding the entire apparatus for storage. FIG. 4 illustrates the base 11 of the apparatus folded for storage. In this view the body supporting member and chains are not shown since they may be either removed from the base or folded into any desired position because of the flexibility of the chains. The boards 23 for preventing spreading of the feet are also deleted in this figure, however, it will be apparent that they may remain connected to the lower member 16 on one of the frame sections for folding and storage.

In order to fold the apparatus into a position as illustrated in FIG. 4 the chains 33 (FIG. 1) are lifted off of the hooks on the top bracket 26 (FIG. 1) so that the body supporting member is removed. The brackets 26 are removed as illustrated in FIG. 3 and the two frame sections 13 and 14 are pivoted towards each other about the hinge joint at the bars 19 as illustrated in FIG. 2. The end bar 36 is also pivoted up to a position near the apex so that the entire exercising device base forms a substantially flat package as illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate in side elevation and end elevation, respectively, another embodiment of exercising device constructed according to principles of this invention. The base of the exercising device is shown folded for storage in FIG. 7. As illustrated in this embodiment a substantially triangular tubular frame is employed, broadly similar to that illustrated in FIG. 1. The triangular frame is formed of a pair of U-shaped tubes 46 and 47, respectively. The portion 50 of tube forming the bight of the U is connected by way of brackets 48 to a pair of boards 49 for preventing spreading of the legs of the apparatus. The brackets 48 may be either open U-shaped clips as provided in the embodiment of FIG. 1 or may be hat sections connected to the boards 49 and passing over the bight 50 of the U-shaped frames 46 and 47 for permitting pivoting of these frames relative to the bottom boards.

The upper ends of the U-shaped frames 46 and 47 are inserted in open tubular ends of a crown member 51 at the apex of the triangle. This close fit of the base frames into the crown member also serves to prevent spreading of the legs so that in some applications the boards 49 can be dispensed with. The crown member 51 has U-shaped tubular end pieces 52 into which the U- shaped frames 46 and 47 fit and also has a pair of transverse bars 53 between the U-shaped ends 52 for forming a top or apex horizontal bar when the apparatus is in its erected position. The horizontal bars 53 are preferably tubes welded to the U-shaped end pieces 52 for best strength. It will be noted that a pair of apex bars 53 are employed in order to provide a good grip when the apex bar is employed for swinging the body supporting member of the apparatus, however, if desired a single transverse horizontal bar can be employed at the apex. The ends of the U-shaped frames 46 and 47 are preferably secured in the U-shaped portion 52 of the crown member 51 by bolts 54 so that there is no danger of the device coming apart during use. The bolts 54 also may be employed for supporting hooks 56 to which chains 57 may be connected. If desired, the hooks 56 can be supported by a different bolt than employed for connecting the base members 46 and 47 in order to ease assembly and disassembly of the apparatus. The chains 57 are connectable to a body supporting member 58 described in somewhat greater detail hereinafter.

A horizontal bar 59 is also provided above and adjacent one end of the body supporting member 58 in a manner generally similar to that hereinabove described. Thus the bar 59 is the bight of a U-shaped piece having side legs 61 connected to the frame section 47 by pivots 62. Chains 63 between the bar 59 and a hook 64 connected to the crown member 51 enable the horizontal bar 59 to be positioned at any desired location above the end of the body supporting member.

In order to fold the base of the exercising device, bolts 54 connecting the crown member and one of the U-shaped tubes 46 or 47 are removed. This permits the U-shaped pieces to pivot within the brackets 48 on the boards 49 so as to lie in a position parallel to the boards such as illustrated in FIG. 7 so that the entire assembly forms a flat package for ease of storage.

The body supporting member in the swinging exercising device is arranged for swinging in a direction along its length. It is desirable in such an apparatus to restrict the degree of swinging of the body supporting member laterally. Lateral swinging or twisting of the body supporting member relative to the base can cause collision between the swinging member and the base. The arrangement of links between the apex of the base and the sides of the body supporting member determines the dynamics of the swinging action obtained, and because of the arrangement provided in practice of this invention, longitudinal swinging is enhanced and transverse swinging is inhibited.

This effect is best seen by reference to FIGS. and 6 where the path of the chains 57 forming the suspending links between the apex of the base and the body supporting member can be most clearly seen. Referring to FIG. 5, it will be seen that the chains 57 on each side of the body supporting member converge towards each other nearer the top, and would intersect at an imaginary pivot axis above the body supporting member and transverse to its length. Since the body supporting member is below this pivot axis, it is free to swing about this higher pivot axis with relatively little effort. Since the upper ends of the chains are actually spaced apart on the crown 51, the location of the intersection of the chains above the apex actually shifts by a small amount; however, this does not influence the ease of swinging to a great extent.

Referring now to FIG. 6, it will be seen that in a direction transverse to the length of the body supporting member the chains 57 converge downwardly so as to intersect at an imaginary axis beneath the body supporting member and extending generally in the direction of the length thereof. Since the chains diverge away from this axis, pivoting thereabout is greatly constrained and limited. The combination of convergence of the four links towards a pivot axis above the body supporting member and transverse to its length thereof, and also towards an axis below the body supporting member and parallel to the length thereof permits relatively easy swinging in the longitudinal direction and relatively hard swinging in the transverse direction.

The body supporting member 58 provided in the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6 is particularly advantageous because of the great variety of exercises and body manipulations that can be performed with such a structure. This member 58 is rigid in a direction transverse to the direction of swinging of the body supporting member. It is also elastically flexible in a direction along the direction of swinging.

The body supporting member also illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 is formed of a pair of steel strips 66, one along each side of the body supporting member. At each end the strips are interconnected by a circular bar or tube 67 which is substantially rigid. The steel strips 66 are also interconnected intermittently between their ends by a plurality of spaced apart boards 68 which are suitably padded so as to be comfortable. The body supporting member is thus substantially rigid in a direction transverse to its length. The steel strips 66 are elastically flexible or resilient so as to be bendable along their length without permanent deformation. The intermittent location of the transverse boards 68 permits the steel strips 66 to flex in the direction along the length of the body supporting member.

The boards 68 have sufficient spaces 69 between adjacent boards to prevent pinching of a person occupying the body supporting member and also to permit adjustable connection of the support chains 57 thereto. In order to connect the chains 57 a connector clip such as illustrated in FIG. 10 has been found advantageous. As

illustrated in this embodiment a short U-shaped piece of steel 71 has a chain link 72 welded to one face thereof. The length of the U-shaped piece 7i is sufficient to fit within one of the spaces 69 between the boards 68 on the body supporting member of FIGS. 5 to 9. The open portion of the U has a size sufficient to accommodate the steel strip 66. One of the chains 57 is connected to the link 72 on the U-shaped member (not shown in FIG. 10).

In order to connect the chains to the body supporting member, the U-shaped piece 71 is fitted within one of the slots 69 and slid outwardly so that the steel strip 66 is within the open portion of the U-shaped member. The link 72 is positioned beneath the strip 66 and the chain passed upwardly around the outside of the strip. It will be noted that the chains 57 then serve to hold the clips in position since the upper ends of the chain near the crown member 51 are spaced apart a distance appreciably greater than the width of the body supporting member. Just as one example, the width of the entire apparatus may be about 44 inches whereas the width of the body supporting member may be 22 inches. The advantage of a clip such as illustrated in FIG. 10 or other adjustable arrangement as may be apparent to one skilled in the art is that the chains can quickly and readily be connected to the body supporting member 58 at any selected position relatively remote from the middle thereof.

Advantages of the elastically flexible body supporting member so connected are seen in the following examples. When the chains 57 are connected to the body supporting member 58 at points relatively remote from the middle and a person occupies the body supporting member in a supine position the principal body weight is between the support points and the steel strips 66 deflect so that the body supporting member has a curved shape concave upwardly, thereby tending to bend the persons body forwardly. When, on the other hand, the chains 57 are connected to the body supporting member 58 near the middle thereof, the principal portion of an occupants weight is beyond the support points and the body supporting member tends to bend convex upwardly as illustrated in FIG. 9 so that the persons body is arched backwardly.

The advantages of the body supporting member such as illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 9 can be enjoyed by an occupant in a variety of ways, thus, for example, a person may lie on the body supporting member with the supports relatively widely spaced from the mid-point thereof, grip one of the end bars 67, brace his feet against the other end bar 67, and arch his body against the curvature of the body supporting member. This involves muscular exertion and also stretching of the body, both of which are highly beneficial. Different sets of muscles can be employed by lying face up or face down and different effects obtained by suspending the body supporting member more or less nearto its center.

The elastically flexible body supporting member 58 is useful in combination with the horizontal bars 53 and 59 by exerting the hands or feet against these bars for swinging and simultaneously flexing the body supporting member. Thus, for example, a person may lie on his back on the body supporting member and do deep knee bends with the feet against the end horizontal bar 59 and at the same time flex his back against the springiness of the steel strips 66. A- particularly useful exercise is to lie on ones back and brace either the feet or hands against the top horizontal bar 53, thereby pressing downwardly against the resistance of the springs. An interesting exeRcise is to lie on the body supporting member with the back of the heels against the top bar 53 and forcing the body supporting member to swing, thereby stretching the hamstrings. Many, many other exercises will be apparent as one uses and becomes familiar with the swinging exercise device. Two people can use the apparatus simultaneously with one exerting against an end bar or leg of the base and the other against the top bar or a leg of the base, thereby permitting them to work against each other for greater exertion.

FIG. 11 illustrates in perspective another embodiment of body supporting member useful in combination with either of the triangular bases hereinabove illustrated. The body supporting member illustrated in FIG. 11 is also useful in and of itself since it can be detached from the base for independent use, if desired. As illustrated in this embodiment, the body supporting member has a pair of U-shaped tubular frames 76 that are interconnected at their open ends by a pair of coaxial pivots 77. A canvas cover 78 is fitted over the tubular frame 76 so that a person can lie thereon during exercise. A pair of arcuate rockers 79 are bolted to the closed ends of the U-shaped frames 76. The rockers 79 are further held in position by a transverse brace 81 at their mid-points. There is an upwardly extending strut 82 between the mid-point of each of the rockers 89 and the corresponding pivot 77. The rigid rockers and struts 82 rigidify the pivots 77 so that the entire body supporting member is rigid and may be connected by chains (not shown) to one of the bases hereinabove illustrated for longitudinal swinging in substantially the same manner hereinabove described.

The body supporting member may also be employed separate and apart from one of the bases by removing the chains, in whlch form it is useful as a longitudinally rocking bed. Further, this body supporting member is useful by removing the rockers 79 and struts 82 so that the transverse pivots 77 are free to move. Suspending the body supporting member from chains on one of the bases then permits a combination of a swinging motion as hereinabove described, and body flexing on the body supporting member somewhat in a manner as described in my U.S. Pat. No. 3,315,666. If desired, a spring may be connected to the frame members 76 on opposite sides of the pivots 77 for holding the frame sections in substantial alignment and resisting flexing of the body.

This same effect can be obtained with an embodiment of body supporting member illustrated in perspective in FIG. 12. As illustrated in this arrangement, a pair of U-shaped metal frames 86 are interconnected at their open ends by spindle-shaped or volute helical springs 87. A canvas cover 88 is stretched over the frames 86 for supporting a person. Transverse U- shaped braces 89 are provided between the two sides of the U-shaped frames 86 adjacent their open ends to prevent the two sides from collapsing towards each other when a person sits on the canvas. Chains (not shown) are connected to the sides of the body supporting member for suspension from one of the bases. This permits a person occupying the body supporting member to obtain the combination of longitudinal swinging and bending of the body against the elastic resilience of the body supporting member. It will be noted that the body supporting member provided in the embodiment of FIG. 12 is rigid in a direction transverse to its length and elastically flexible for at least a portion of its length.

Although limited embodiments of swinging exercise devices constructed according to principles of this invention have been described and illustrated herein, many modifications and variations will be apparent to one skilled in the art. Thus, for example, other suspension arrangements for the body supporting member can be provided, particularly for installations fixed in a building rather than as a portable apparatus. Brackets may be provided at the apex of an exercising device so that multiple units can be interconnected side by side to form a battery of swinging exercise devices such as might be employed in a gymnasium or the like. The swinging exercising device can be used indoors or out, and if used outdoors a fabric cover can be draped over the base member to afford shade and shelter. Pulleys and cords with weights can be connected on the apparatus at various points for resisting swinging motion and permitting muscular development. Many other modifications and variations will be apparent to one skilled in the art and it is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:

1. An exercising apparatus comprising:

an elongated body supporting member;

a collapsible frame;

suspension means for suspending the body supporting member for swinging motion in a direction along the length of the body supporting member comprising a pair of movable supporting links on each side of the body supporting member, each link being connected at one end to the body supporting member at a point remote from the middle of the length of the body supporting member, and at the other end to the frame, the pair of links on each side of the body supporting member being connected to the frame at a pair of longitudinally spaced apart points approximately above the middle of the body supporting member; and

a horizontal bar on the frame above and transverse to the body supporting member and sufficiently close thereto that an occupant on the body supporting member can reach the bar with either a hand or a foot for propelling the body supporting member.

2. An exercising apparatus as defined in claim I wherein the horizontal bar is approximately above the middle of the body supporting member.

3. An exercising apparatus as defined in claim 2 further comprising a second horizontal bar on the frame above the body supporting member and adjacent an end thereof, and sufficiently close to the body supporting member to be within reach of an occupant thereon.

4. An exercising apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the bar is located higher than and adjacent one end of the body supporting member.

5. An exercising apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein the horizontal bar is movable between a lower position for use and an upper position for storage.

6. An exercising apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the links are flexible.

7. An exercising apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein each of the links comprises a chain having one end connected to the body supporting member; and the suspension means comprises a hook selectively connectable to the chain for varying the effective length thereof.

8. An exercising apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein each of the links is pivotally connected at its ends to the body supporting member and frame, respectively.

9. An exercising apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the body supporting member is substantially rigid and has a length greater than about one-half the height of an occupant.

10. An exercising apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the body supporting member is substantially rigid in a transverse direction and elastically flexible in a longitudinal direction.

11. An exercising apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein the point of connection between the body supporting member and the respective links is selectively variable.

12. An exercising apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the collapsible frame comprises a substantially triangular frame having a base at the bottom and an apex adjacent the top.

13. An exercising apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein the frame comprises:

a pair of similar frame members extending from the apex to the base; and

means for pivotally interconnecting the frame members for pivoting between an erected position with an elongated base and a closed position wherein the frame members are substantially parallel to each other.

14. An exercising apparatus as defined in claim 13 further comprising:

a rigid extension of each frame member extending above the apex; and

means for locking the rigid extensions on adjacent frame members together.

15. An exercising apparatus as defined in claim 13 further comprising a pair of base members; and wherein the means for pivotally interconnecting comprises means for pivotally connecting each of the frame members to the base members; and further comprising means for temporarily interconnecting the frame mem bers at the apex.

16. An exercising apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the pair of links on each side converge upwardly towards a point higher than the horizontal bar.

17. An exercising apparatus comprising: body supporting member sufficiently elongated that an occupant can recline with most of his body thereon;

means for suspending the body supporting member;

four movable links interconnecting the body supporting member and the means for suspending, the four links converging towards a pivot axis above the body supporting member and transverse to the length thereof and towards an axis below the body supporting member and parallel to the length thereof whereby the body supporting member swings relatively easier in the direction of its length and relatively harder in the direction of its width; and

means on the means for suspending transverse to the length of the body supporting member and within reach of an occupant on the body supporting member for engagement by the occupant for swinging the body supporting member independently of engagement with any other means for swinging.

18. An exercising apparatus as defined in claim 17 wherein the means for suspending comprises:

a substantially triangular frame having a base at the bottom and an apex adjacent the top and means for connecting each of the four links to the frame at spaced apart points near the apex, the connecting points being further apart in a direction transverse to the length of the body supporting member than the width of the body supporting member; and wherein the apparatus further comprises:

means for connecting each of the links to a side of the body supporting member at points spaced apart from the middle thereof, the connection points on the body supporting member being spaced apart in a direction along its length a distance greater than the spacing apart of the connection points near the apex of the frame.

19. An exercising apparatus as defined in claim 18 wherein each of the links comprises a chain and wherein at least a portion of the means for connecting comprises means for connecting to any selected link in the chain for varying the effective length of the chain between the connecting points. 

1. An exercising apparatus comprising: an elongated body supporting member; a collapsible frame; suspension means for suspending the body supporting member for swinging motion in a direction along the length of the body supporting member comprising a pair of movable supporting links on each side of the body supporting member, each link being connected at one end to the body supporting member at a point remote from the middle of the length of the body supporting member, and at the other end to the frame, the pair of links on each side of the body supporting member being connected to the frame at a pair of longitudinally spaced apart points approximately above the middle of the body supporting member; and a horizontal bar on the frame above and transverse to the body supporting member and sufficiently close thereto that an occupant on the body supporting member can reach the bar with either a hand or a foot for pRopelling the body supporting member.
 2. An exercising apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the horizontal bar is approximately above the middle of the body supporting member.
 3. An exercising apparatus as defined in claim 2 further comprising a second horizontal bar on the frame above the body supporting member and adjacent an end thereof, and sufficiently close to the body supporting member to be within reach of an occupant thereon.
 4. An exercising apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the bar is located higher than and adjacent one end of the body supporting member.
 5. An exercising apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein the horizontal bar is movable between a lower position for use and an upper position for storage.
 6. An exercising apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the links are flexible.
 7. An exercising apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein each of the links comprises a chain having one end connected to the body supporting member; and the suspension means comprises a hook selectively connectable to the chain for varying the effective length thereof.
 8. An exercising apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein each of the links is pivotally connected at its ends to the body supporting member and frame, respectively.
 9. An exercising apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the body supporting member is substantially rigid and has a length greater than about one-half the height of an occupant.
 10. An exercising apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the body supporting member is substantially rigid in a transverse direction and elastically flexible in a longitudinal direction.
 11. An exercising apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein the point of connection between the body supporting member and the respective links is selectively variable.
 12. An exercising apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the collapsible frame comprises a substantially triangular frame having a base at the bottom and an apex adjacent the top.
 13. An exercising apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein the frame comprises: a pair of similar frame members extending from the apex to the base; and means for pivotally interconnecting the frame members for pivoting between an erected position with an elongated base and a closed position wherein the frame members are substantially parallel to each other.
 14. An exercising apparatus as defined in claim 13 further comprising: a rigid extension of each frame member extending above the apex; and means for locking the rigid extensions on adjacent frame members together.
 15. An exercising apparatus as defined in claim 13 further comprising a pair of base members; and wherein the means for pivotally interconnecting comprises means for pivotally connecting each of the frame members to the base members; and further comprising means for temporarily interconnecting the frame members at the apex.
 16. An exercising apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the pair of links on each side converge upwardly towards a point higher than the horizontal bar.
 17. An exercising apparatus comprising: body supporting member sufficiently elongated that an occupant can recline with most of his body thereon; means for suspending the body supporting member; four movable links interconnecting the body supporting member and the means for suspending, the four links converging towards a pivot axis above the body supporting member and transverse to the length thereof and towards an axis below the body supporting member and parallel to the length thereof whereby the body supporting member swings relatively easier in the direction of its length and relatively harder in the direction of its width; and means on the means for suspending transverse to the length of the body supporting member and within reach of an occupant on the body supporting member for engagement by the occupant for swinging the body supporting member independently of engagement with any other means for swinging.
 18. An exercising apparatus as defined in claim 17 wherein the means for suspending comprises: a substantially triangular frame having a base at the bottom and an apex adjacent the top and means for connecting each of the four links to the frame at spaced apart points near the apex, the connecting points being further apart in a direction transverse to the length of the body supporting member than the width of the body supporting member; and wherein the apparatus further comprises: means for connecting each of the links to a side of the body supporting member at points spaced apart from the middle thereof, the connection points on the body supporting member being spaced apart in a direction along its length a distance greater than the spacing apart of the connection points near the apex of the frame.
 19. An exercising apparatus as defined in claim 18 wherein each of the links comprises a chain and wherein at least a portion of the means for connecting comprises means for connecting to any selected link in the chain for varying the effective length of the chain between the connecting points. 